Egg fecundity tables and reproductive performance of black soldier fly on vegetable wastes

The present investigation was conducted to construct egg–fecundity tables and evaluate the population growth parameters of Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly) reared on vegetable wastes (brinjal waste and potato waste) at temperature range of 30 ± 5°C. Significant variation was observed in reproductive and population parameters across substrates. The survival of immature stages (lx) was 0.49 and 0.71 per individual at pivotal ages of 44 and 34 days, respectively. The net reproductive rate (R₀) was 68.60 and 145.11 females per female per generation, while the mean generation time (T) was 38.45 and 33.20 days, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) was 0.11 and 0.15 females per female per day, with a corresponding finite rate of increase (λ) of 1.12 and 1.16 females per female, respectively. The population doubling time (Dt) was 6.30 and 4.62 days, respectively. At stable age distribution, the population structure comprised eggs (58.95 - 48.64%), larvae (39.91 - 48.29%), pupae (0.96 - 2.32%), and adults (0.18 - 0.75%). Among the substrates, potato waste supported superior reproductive potential and faster population build-up compared to brinjal waste.